Assessing The Quality Of Expanded Programme On Immunization (Epi) Data: A Case Study In The Suhum Muncipality Of The Eastern Region

ABSTRACT

Background: In health care, good data are the prerequisite for patient safety and successful outcomes. The objective of the study was to assess the quality of Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) data in the Suhum Municipality. This study aimed at improving data accuracy, data availability, data completeness and data timeliness of routine data capture as well as vaccine wastage rate on EPI. Also, the study assessed the quality of the monitoring system of the EPI programme.

Methods: A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study involving review of vaccination records at Child Welfare Clinic (CWC) sites in the Suhum Municipality for the 4th quarter (October-December, 2018) was used. The Immunization Data Quality Self-Assessment tool (DQS) designed by WHO was adopted, modified and used to analyse the accuracy (Verification Factor) of EPI data.

Results: The study revealed 100% EPI data accuracy in the Suhum Municipality. It was observed that 82% of health facilities recorded 100% of data accuracy. The study also found 100% availability of EPI tally book in all health facilities yet 62.9% of health facilities had EPI vaccine ledgers. In addition, 64%, 63% and 59.3% of health facilities recorded above 95% data completeness (data elements) in October, November and December 2018 respectively. The study also revealed high data completeness 92.6% (report submission) in the Suhum Municipality. Furthermore, it was found that 96.3% of health facilities recorded 100% data timeliness. The overall quality index score recorded was 66.7% with a mean quality index score was 41.9% (CI=39.27, 44.60). This suggests that the quality index score among health facilities was generally low. The study found that the overall vaccine wastage rate for Penta vaccine in the Suhum Municipality was 22.8%. However, wastage rate among health facilities varied from negative (-42.5%) to 80.8%. The study found 43% discrepancies between Penta doses issued to health facilities from the Municipal office and doses received and documented in vaccine ledgers.

Conclusion: The results of the study suggests the EPI data in the Suhum Municipality is accurate, timely, available and complete which can be used for monitoring and evaluation of the EPI programme.